OVERVIEW of the Goodstone Inn & Restaurant

The marvelous Goodstone Inn & Restaurant in Middleburg, Virginia, in the heart of hunt country, is set on 265 exquisite acres of rolling countryside. Originally a private country retreat, it has operated as a luxury inn since 1998. The original carriage house and the stables have been meticulously renovated and serve as the centerpiece of the Estate. It is here that guests are welcomed and where they gather for afternoon tea. It is home to the restaurant and the magnificent wine cellar dining room. The property has nearly 20 exquisite flower, woodland, orchard and kitchen gardens and employs a full time Head gardener to maintain them. This is a fantastic weekend escape offering luxurious accommodations and terrific food in a spectacular country setting.

THE ROOMS at the Goodstone Inn & Restaurant

18 guestrooms and suites are spread over 5 buildings located in various parts of the Estate. They are beautifully decorated with rich fabrics and antiques, luxurious beds and linens, wonderful artwork and some offer two of my favorite amenities; antique claw foot tubs and steam showers. The Carriage House is the main building and home to the restaurant. A few steps away is the Dutch Cottage. Both are a short walk to the pool and hot tub. The other buildings, The Spring House, The Manor House and the French Farm Cottage are located a distance from the main building and require a car, bike or a long walk to get there.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that……The lodging concept is unique in my experience. Each building has 2-4 bedrooms and a common living room with fireplace, kitchen, some with dining rooms, parlors and games rooms. The buildings each have at least one patio and there are porches and rocking chairs and hammocks. It’s hard to pick favorites. We loved the Dutch Cottage (Magnolia Room) and the Hayloft in the Carriage House has a wonderful rooftop deck, but the truth is you can’t go wrong anywhere here.

The latest addition to the list of accommodations is the Bull Barn Suite, which was actually the original bull barn. The Bull Barn offers a single bedroom suite, a library sitting area with soaring ceilings featuring natural wood beams, a large fieldstone fireplace, wood bookcases created with vintage wood planks and in which a flat screen TV has been situated. The cottage also features kitchen amenities with a wet bar and magnificent views of the farm-scape from every window.

DINING at the Goodstone Inn & Restaurant

The dining room with vaulted ceilings, dark vertically paneled walls, local artwork and crisp white French doors and trim is an elegant setting overlooking the Creek and woods. Tables are set with crisp lines and gleaming tableware and adorned with vases of fresh boxwood and frescia. When the weather is nice the doors are thrown open and scents of grass and woodlands mingled with the cooking aromas is intoxicating.

The kitchen under the direction of Executive Chef, Jan Van Haute., makes great use of fresh produce and herbs grown on the estate and even the meats and poultry are raised locally. The menu, with a French flair, changes seasonally.

The wine program, under the direction of Stephen Elhafdi is a winner of Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence and includes 820 selections and over 4,000 bottles in the wine cellar and three EuroCaves.

THE SERVICE at the Goodstone Inn & Restaurant

We had not even completed our climb up the winding driveway when someone was already outside waiting for our arrival. We were escorted to our room (no paperwork, how nice), briefed on the amenities and left to settle in. When we arrived at the Carriage House for dinner, we were greeted warmly and offered cocktails. Our server at dinner was charming, fun and very efficient. The Sommelier was knowledgeable, surprised us with a delicious wine we had not had before and seemed to take real delight in our enjoyment of the wine.

THE RATES at the Goodstone Inn & Restaurant

From $347 Peak Season Weekend

WHAT OTHERS SAY About the Goodstone Inn & Restaurant

It’s hard to deny the attraction of this “peaceful” Small Luxury Hotels of the World member, a “quaint”, relatively unknown Middleburg inn resting on a 265-acre estate of rolling hills amid the Blue Ridge Mountains; the fare at the on-site restaurant is “always delicious”, and the luxury accommodations include assorted houses and cottages, plus the “wonderful” staff is happy to arrange biking, canoeing in Goose Creek or teeing off at Stoneleigh Country Club. ZAGAT